The Best Chocolate Sheet Cake EVER & Justin's 12th Birthday

Spring Break is behind us and my son had an AWESOME week. With his birthday right in the middle of Spring Break, I don't think he could of asked for better timing. Being OFF school on your birthday ROCKS! On his actual birthday he got a set of brand new golf clubs and went to golfing with his dad. Then a friend came over and we headed over to Downtown Disney for a movie and dinner at ESPN Zone. When the weekend rolled around we had a full day of celebrations planned. On Saturday we started the day with three friends at the showing of the movie Disney's Cats from Africa; then meet up with his entire group of friends at Sky High Jump, after that we headed back to the house for an evening of friends & family complete with his favorite meal Homemade Lasagna.

He also requested a Texas Sheet Cake, which I made last year for his birthday (for the first time). We had a huge party last year so I was able to make two different recipes. And this one WON! The Pioneer Women's Best Chocolate Sheet Cake Ever!!! (from the two cakes I made this one was by far the BEST)

Best Chocolate Sheet Cake EVER

from Pioneer Women

2 cups Flour
2 cups Sugar
1/4 tsp Salt
4 tbsp (heaping) Cocoa
2 sticks Butter
1 cup Boiling Water
1/2 cup Buttermilk
2 Eggs, beaten
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Vanilla

In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt; set aside. In a seperate pan boil water. In a saucepan, melt butter, then add cocoa and boiling water allow mixture to boil for 30 seconds, then turn off heat. Pour over flour mixture, and stir lightly to cool.

In a measuring cup, pour the buttermilk and beaten eggs, baking soda, and vanilla. Stir buttermilk mixture into butter/chocolate mixture. Pour into sheet cake pan and bake at 350-degrees for 20 minutes.

Chocolate Pecan Frosting
1/2 cups Finely Chopped Pecans
1-3/4 sticks Butter
4 tbsp (heaping) Cocoa
6 tbsp Milk
1 tsp Vanilla
3-1/4 cups Powdered Sugar

While cake is baking, make the icing. Chop pecans finely. Melt butter in a saucepan, add cocoa, stir to combine, then turn off heat. Add the milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Stir together. Add the pecans, stir together, and pour over warm cake.

When I asked my son what he wanted me to write on his cake he said "Justin is Awesome"
Ask and you shall receive... He got just what he wanted!